A Mother Who Built Opportunity—One Block at a Time
Eufemenia is a single mother of five who stepped forward to help build classrooms in her community. In doing so, she challenged expectations and inspired others to join her. Her story is a powerful reminder that mothers don’t just support education—they help create it.
A Mother Who Leads by Learning
Catarina never had the chance to go to school as a child. Today, as a mother, she’s changing that—by returning to the classroom alongside her children. Her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to learn, and that a mother’s example can shape a family’s future.
New Cuyo: Where Play Began
In New Cuyo, where the nearest playground is hours away, children are experiencing structured play for the first time. Built alongside the community, these new spaces are already part of daily life—filled with movement, curiosity, and connection.
Staff Spotlight: From the Same Classroom to Building New Ones
Heydie Cruz grew up in a rural Honduran classroom much like the ones she builds today. With determination—and the support of her family—she became one of the first in her family to graduate from university. Now, as an engineer with School the World, she’s helping create better opportunities for the next generation.
World Changer Diary: More Than Just Classrooms, How Guatemala Felt Like Home
What started as a service trip quickly felt like a return home. From shared meals and meaningful conversations to working side-by-side with the community, this experience was about connection as much as construction. This corporate service trip participant reflects on the people, moments, and relationships that made Guatemala unforgettable.
The Belief That Gets Passed On
Karen Crowley’s lifelong commitment to education and service shaped her daughters’ values. Through School the World service learning trips, they experienced those values in a new way, together.
A Mother Who Built Opportunity—One Block at a Time
Eufemenia is a single mother of five who stepped forward to help build classrooms in her community. In doing so, she challenged expectations and inspired others to join her. Her story is a powerful reminder that mothers don’t just support education—they help create it.
A Mother Who Leads by Learning
Catarina never had the chance to go to school as a child. Today, as a mother, she’s changing that—by returning to the classroom alongside her children. Her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to learn, and that a mother’s example can shape a family’s future.
From Training to Action: Eight Years of Partnership with the Ron Burton Training Village
For eight years, School the World and the Ron Burton Training Village have partnered to bring students to Guatemala and Panama—where leadership training meets real-world application. Through hands-on service and long-term community partnerships, students contribute to strengthening education systems while gaining a deeper understanding of their role in the world.
World Changer Diary: The Joy of Getting My Hands Dirty in Guatemala
After an unexpected injury cut her first trip short, Karyn Johnson wanted to return on another service trip. This time, she was able to fully participate—reconnecting with colleagues, building new relationships, and contributing to a shared goal alongside a community fully invested in education. Read a clear look at why professionals choose to come back and contribute to School the World’s mission of making quality education accessible in rural Guatemala.
New Cuyo: Where Play Began
In New Cuyo, where the nearest playground is hours away, children are experiencing structured play for the first time. Built alongside the community, these new spaces are already part of daily life—filled with movement, curiosity, and connection.
Stories of Strength: Women Leading Change Across School the World Communities
This Women’s History Month, our team shared stories of women who inspire them—from mothers and students to community leaders and colleagues. These stories reflect resilience, courage, and the quiet ways women shape what’s possible for others. Together, they remind us why lifting up women’s voices matters.
World Changer Diary: A Week that Changed How I Think About Opportunity
Angelica Saggers, a corporate service trip participant reflects on a week in rural Guatemala, where building classrooms alongside families revealed the deeper realities of access and opportunity. Through moments with parents, children, and the local community, she saw firsthand that the barrier isn’t talent—it’s access. The experience reshaped how she thinks about education, equity, and the role we each play in expanding opportunity.